Customer Reviews

Western Digital My Passport Elite 320 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive (Titanium)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is an excellent product. I was needing to backup al my Cds collection (over 2500 CDs) an this drive helps me in all. The speed is good, the usability incredible. The only tip that I post for all the future users of this item is "Don't use the soft included in the HDD" Just plug and play the drive and use it with the Windows explorer with copy and paste. Following this tip the use is easy and simple as ABC.
I'm very happy with my new HDD.

I have owned several Western Digital Passport drives and a few other mobile drive brands. This drive is great for backups, as you can hook it up fast without a power supply and store it anywhere. Put it in your briefcase, put it in your safe, take it with you anywhere and keep a copy of your data. It is almost pocket-size and the only thing you have to keep with you is a short USB cable. Some people consider the short cable that's included to be too short, but it's mobile!

Some owners have commented on needing a power adapter or extra usb cable for it, but I've never had that issue. I've used it on multiple desktops and multiple laptops with no issues at all, but you'll have to try it on your own system.

The surface of the Passports can be easy to scratch if you throw it around or keep it in your bag with other items. That would be my only complaint, but it doesn't really bother to me.

All WD Passports that I've owned, including this one, have stood up very well. I've never had a drive failure, the transfer speed is always quick, and the case is very sturdy. I have these drives everywhere, because of their mobility and performance. You can't beat them!

The speed is very responsive. I've used it on an XP and Vista machine and both have copied data to it fairly quick. I haven't performed tests on it, but it always gets the job done for me. The 320GB version is a great upgrade on the previous Passport models.

Check back often for pricing. Amazon and other retailers change the prices of the WD Passport drives all the time!

They charge substantially more for this model than for the Western Digital WDME3200TN My Passport Essential 320GB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive (Midnight Black).

What do you get for the extra money?

Nothing of significance or even substantive value.

A somewhat burnished case finish which adds nothing.

A drive activity diode which adds nothing.

A cheap cloth pouch which adds nothing.

Stick with the "My Essential" model that offers the same functionality at a lower price. The My Essential model is worthy of 5-stars. The Elite delivers nothing for the extra money.

Jerry

The reviewer who said that this product is identical as the WD Passport Essential (other than the soft finish) is incorrect. The two big features that are included with the Elite are backup software and a capacity gauge. You also get remote access software (no biggie for me). The capacity gauge is nice to have and the backup software is a good investment. Great product that works like the Everready Bunny.

I like this drive a lot now that I don't use the software it came with. Just plug it in and use windows explorer to work everything. It's really convenient being able to take it with me as well. If I go to the library I put it in the little pouch it came with, put that in my backpack, and take it and my computer with me. I have all my professors' online notes saved onto it. Better than a flash drive because it can hold everything at one time, and better than a stationary hard drive because you don't have to leave it in one place.

Works quickly and quietly. No heat issue. There is some propriatory software that wants to install you each time you plug it in the USB port. That's annoying.

Compact ... reasonably tough, fast access ... and easy to carry. I bought a CaseLogic case for it and the short cable ... though it came with a soft carry sack. I'd highly reccomend that investment.

for the price i think this is one of the better portable hard drives out there. read lots of reviews before i landed on this one and so far i like it. the only thing i don't like about it is the usb cable that it comes with, it is really short so you will need to have the hard drive close to the usb source

Works great with Mac Leopard. Just plug it in and follow the prompts - you will simply have to re-format the drive to be compatible with Time Machine, but that's easily done - OSX guides you through it all quite painlessly.

Zero problems, quite durable (I travel a LOT and treat my gear "OK", but don't baby things), does what I need it to do, which is backup the 250GB drive on my MacBook.

Looks nice, the finish seems to go pretty well with the aluminum cases on Apple computers too.

This is my 4th Western Digital external HDD. The others are all still in use, and we have not experienced any drive failures thus far.

This is a very good drive with excellent capacity, however the bundled software - i.e. WDSync is a little clunky. A bit slow with an awkward user interface. It would be nice if you could sync up data without having to encrypt it which: A) takes times to encrypt B) forces you to have to use WDSync to open/view the file. As I say, it would be nice to auto-sync files that are not worthy of encryption but you would still like to be automatically synced and viewable from Windows Explorer.

Still a really nice drive which I would highly recommend.